Beyond the views // David and Natalie

Chapter 3

We arrived to the photography studio and were lead into separate rooms where people began to do our hair and makeup. I'd always hated having stuff put on my face but since these pictures would be all over the internet a bit of concealer here and there couldn't hurt. The shoot organizer came in to talk to me. "Hey! David, nice to see you again, we've got everything set up for you and Liza.." "Oh" I stopped him. "Liza couldn't be here I brought my assistant Natalie with instead. She's the same shirt size though so everything should be good." I said. "Ok, great not an issue, we may have to change some of the poses and backgrounds but we'll make it work." He said and left. I guess I'd never thought of that. This was supposed to be a romantic type couples shoot with Liza and I and now that it's Natalie this might make things awkward. Before I could worried more they had given me the first shirt to put on and lead me to the main studio. The photographer started snapping some solo pics of just me and after a couple minutes Natalie appeared with her hair freshly curled and her makeup done. "Ok Natalie you go join David." I heard the photographer say and instantly got butterflies when she was there standing next to me. "I love this design, you better get me some extras!" She laughed looking down at the matching shirts we both had on. "Of course anything for you" I blurted out. They played music in the background and told us to just dance and have fun. Natalie did so effortlessly, I swear if she wanted to she could be an actual model. Although she always thought everyone was lying when they would tell her. After the shoot we got back in the car and headed home. All of our friends would be coming over in a couple hours to film. We were stuck in traffic and Natalie began scrolling through her phone. I glanced over hoping she wouldn't notice me spying on her. "Natalie! Is that? Tinder?" I laughed and teased. I always had my camera rolling in hopes to catch something funny. "David! Mind your own business!" She clutched her phone to her chest and turned away embarrassed. "Oh come on, no way a girl like you needs tinder!" I said re assuring her. "If you must know it's been kind of a bust, I haven't meet anyone good on it and I'm starting to think maybe I'm the problem." I reached up and turned the camera off, I had unintentionally upset her and I felt bad. "Come on you really don't think that do you?" I questioned as traffic slowly moved. "I don't know, it's like ever since my last relationship no one wants to actually get to know me anymore. Everyone just wants to pretend like they do and try and sleep with me. Is that really all I am?" Traffic started to clear, I put the car on auto pilot and turned to face her. "Nat, please don't think that, that's not true and if that's the case for any guy he's an idiot. You're the greatest girl I know and you're gorgeous. Anyone would be lucky to have you. Heck I'd be thrilled to have you as a girlfriend." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I didn't mean it, at least I don't think.. maybe deep down 13 year old David had entered my brain and said it. "Thanks Dave.." she said and the silence between us grew as we entered our neighborhood. I pulled in the driveway and we both got out and headed inside. "Uh I'm gonna go finish some work in my room. Let me know when everyone gets here." She said and closed her door behind her. I let out a long breath and put my hands up to cover my face. Did I really just say that? What was I thinking? She's your friend David your best friend. She's never liked you that way, don't ruin this for yourself. I thought and sank into the couch for a nap.